The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-19
SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS.

The Sanitarian says that the well known rain
water taste is due neither TO roof wood nor depos-
it's nor to flying PARTICLES of dirt. but to the alb
sorption of aerial gases Any water exposed to
the open air will acquire the same taste.
One who claims to have tried it SAYS that rub
Der may be fastened to iron by means of a paint
composed OF powdered shellac STEPPED in about
ten times its weight OF concentrated ammonia
1t should be allowed to stand three or four weeks
before being used.
A new theory of the final destruction of the
earth is that the polar ice is penetrating the in
terror of the globe like wedge. and that soon
it reaches the furnace there will be explo-
sion that will split the world into pieces too
small for truck patches.
1t is a curious fact that persons far from robust
often outlive those Of Extraordinary strength and
hardihood. Upon this subject the Canada
Health Journal says that the vital parts of the
system must tie well balanced in order to attain
long life and that excessive strength in one part
is source OF danger. Hence over developed
muscular system invites dissolution, because it
is a continuous strain on the less powerful or
gans. and finally wears them out.
The heat of fire is very likely to put piano
out of tune. This is not due to the expanding
and contracting of the strings, as generally sup
posed but to the variations produced in the
sounding boards under the influence of the in
creased dryness of the air, especially in furnace
heated houses. Sounding boards are. made of
spruce, because of the superior resonance OF
that timber; but spruce, of all woods, is most
affected by changes of temperature
A Russian physician, DIR. S. TIL Stein, reports
SOME TemarkaDlo experiments III WHICH no udS
induced cataract in the eyes of young porpoises
by subiecting them to the continuous vibrations
of tuning-fork for twelve to twenty-four hours,
for mnch less time when the animals
deprived Of the power of hearing. The cataract
soon disappeared removing the exciting
cause. and could be renewed The phenomenon
has not been satisfactorily explained.
This the way country blacksmith was
seen removing that portion of an ax-handle from
the that remained in the eye, the break being
close to the iron: The wood coud not be driven
l.. ~
could not be bored out He drove, the BIZ of
sharp edge into some moist earth, and then built
a fire around the projecting part. The wood
was soon charred so that II was easily removed.
The moist earth projected the tempered part
of the AK that it sustained no injury.
At meeting of the Physiological Society OF
Berlin it was given fact that when the bee
has filled his cell and has completed the lid. q
drop of formic acid obtained from the poison
bag connected with the sting is added TO the
honey by perforatng the lid with the sting
This formic acid preserves honey and every
other sugar solution from fern tation. Most
of the insects that have singing apparatus
similar to that of the bee are collectors and
storers of honey, SO the sting has a double func-
tion-it is a weapon and pickle.
NJ. Ligner, an Austrian meteorologst claims
to have ascertaned, after careful investigation.
that the moon has an influence on magnetized
needle, varying with its phases and its declina-'
tons. The phenomenon is said to be more
prominently noticeable when the moon is
the earth, and to be very marked when she is
passing from the full to her first or second quar-
The disturbances are found to DO at their
maximum when the moon is in the plane OF the
equator, and greater during the southern than
it is during the northern declnation.
Prof. Charles Mayr: very insidous enemy
lurking in all well water is lead Lead is the
less dissolved the more impure the water. No
taste or odor betrays the enemy in the water; i.
is cool, sparkling, but much worse than sewage.
Water containing about ono part Of lead in
], 600 600 will produce acute lead poisoning lead
coiic and lead palsy. Water containing lead
hatw thaSe and certain lower fipnres
duces many dark and mysterious ailments of di-
eestion and control of muscles Lead is very
common in watersa nd one in five wells contains
enough to be dangerous.